Geno Smith’s agonizing wait is over. The West Virginia quarterback was selected with the seventh pick in the second round (39th overall) by the New York Jets, setting up a quarterback battle with veteran Mark Sanchez.

Fans in Radio City Music Hall went crazy when the Jets selected Smith, more so than when the team drafted cornerback Dee Milliner at No. 9 overall or defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson 13th overall.

Smith’s free fall out of the first round was somewhat of a surprise, given that he was considered a potential top-five pick. As his wait grew from minutes into hours, his disappointment was clear when cameras caught his body language.

Smith initially did not want to return Friday to Radio City Music Hall to face the music, but he thought better of it because he was there to don a Jets cap, hug commissioner Roger Goodell and mug for the cameras.

“First of all, it was tough. But I am here today because of what I withstood,” Smith told the NFL Network after being picked. “I’m proud to be a Jet. It’s a dream come true for me to finally live out my dream. The work’s just beginning for me.

“The importance for me to stay was just because I have a lot of family, a lot of people who stand behind me and have supported me my entire career. I just wanted to stay here and represent them on this stage today.”

Smith’s fall was not lost on Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who experienced a similar fall during the 2005 draft. He took to Twitter on Thursday night to recount his story and reassure Smith, tweeting, “Hang in there Geno, ... good things come to those who wait’ - Paul Tagliabue.” That’s the line then-NFL commissioner Tagliabue used to reassure Rodgers.

Rodgers fell all the way to No. 24 in the draft before Green Bay selected him, and Rodgers recounted how hard that situation was during an interview Friday with the NFL Network.

“I remember what I was going through and thinking about, and how difficult that was, and the feelings of frustration and embarrassment, wondering if there’s a team that was going to take you, and knowing that the camera is on you the entire time,” Rodgers said during an interview with the NFL Network on Friday. “And from what it sounds like, (Smith) handled himself really well.”

What Smith can do now, Rodgers said, is just use this slight as motivation.

“I kept those feelings on my mind as I was training in my offseasons, and continued to believe there was greatness in my future, and I’m sure Geno feels the same way,” Rodgers said.

Though still needing polish as a passer in his read progressions and footwork, Smith is Optimum Scouting writer Eric Galko's prediction to leave training camp as the team’s top passer.

"This spells bad news for Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow’s short and long term future with the team, but, at least in my opinion, good news for Jets fans looking to finally have a quarterback that can consistently lead them to the playoffs," Galko said.

Though the Jets weren’t “expected” to go the quarterback route on draft day, they were likely surprised to see their top-rated quarterback still on the board at No. 39, and didn’t hesitate in their selection of their new franchise quarterback.

“I’m ready to compete," Smith told the NFL Network. "I’m ready to go in there and try to win the starting job.”